What are Category 4 Shingles and Are They Necessary?

Millions of American homeowners live in areas where intense storms that bring heavy rains, hail, and torrential winds are frequent. If you’re among them, you may be considering upgrading your home’s roof to become resistant to the damages that these storms bring. Fortunately, with the recent advancements in the roofing industry, impact-resistant shingles are now available for homeowners.

Let’s learn about this technology and its benefits in this article.

UL 2218 Impact-Resistance Test

Impact-resistant shingles undergo UL 2218 Impact Resistance Test which is the roofing industry’s standard for testing shingles against hail impact. There are four testing categories, Category 4 being the highest rating. In these tests, different steel ball sizes ranging from 1 ¼” to 2” are dropped at heights between 12 to 20 feet to mimic hail impact.

During a Category 4 test, a 2” steel ball is dropped from 20 feet to test if the shingles will break. Cracks and ruptures will appear in regular, non-impact resistant shingles from that kind of impact, while Category 4 shingles will remain intact with no splits or tears.

In general, Category 4 roofing shingles can withstand hail and high winds up to 110 mph.

Category 4 Roofing Shingles Benefits

Category 4 roofing shingles are considered a premium product due to their durability. This means they may also cost more than the standard non-impact-resistant roofing materials. So most homeowners want to know if the extra upfront cost is worthwhile.

The answer is yes, especially if you live in an area where extreme weather conditions like hail and storms frequently occur.

Other benefits of Category 4 roofing shingles are as follows:

• Reduced roof repair and maintenance — Knowing that your shingles are tough and durable, you are more confident that it has a better chance of surviving storms with minimal to no damage at all. Less damage means fewer repair expenses.
• Longer roof lifespan — Shingles are your roof’s first line of defense, which is why it’s important that it remain intact and undamaged despite extreme weather conditions. By using Category 4 shingles, you can rest assured that your roof is better protected which can extend its lifespan.
• Homeowner insurance and premium discounts — Many insurance companies offer discounts to homeowners with Category 4 shingles, which can help you recover the extra upfront installation costs in the long run.
• Lesser chance of insurance premiums increase during renewal — Due to the increasing cost of covering hail prone homes, some insurance companies no longer offer coverage for hail storms. While those who do will usually pass those costs to homeowners. If you own Category 4 impact-resistant shingles, you have a greater chance of keeping your existing rates.

With those being said, installing Category 4 roofing shingles may be expensive, but its benefits would pay for it. If you’re already having to replace your roof and you plan to be in your home for a long time, the investment is probably worth the added cost.